The Legislative Branch Chapter 4 Section 1 National Legislature Overview

Objectives: * Explain why the Constitution provides for the Bicameral structure of Congress. * Explain the difference between a term and a session of Congress. * Describe a situation in which the president may convene or end a session of Congress. * Identify the personal and political backgrounds of members of Congress. * Describe the duties performed by those who serve in Congress. *Describe the compensation and privileges of members of Congress.

National Legislature Overview The Role of Congress in a Democracy The Colonists put great stock in representative assemblies. The nation’s first assembly was the Second Continental Congress, which governed the nation from the Declaration of Independence until the Confederate Congress convened in Framers had worried about putting too much power in the hands of the Federal Government. They made sure that Checks & Balances were in place.

National Legislature Overview Congress: The Job Members of Congress play 5 major roles … – 1) legislators – 2) representatives of their constituents – 3) committee members – 4) servants of their constituents – 5) politicians

National Legislature Overview Senators and Representatives are elected to represent the people Lawmakers have four voting options … Delegates see themselves as the agents of the people who elected them. They believe that they should discover what the “folks back home” think about an issue and vote that way. Trustees believe each question they face must be decided on its merits. Conscience and judgment are their guides.

National Legislature Overview They call the issues as they see them, regardless of the views held by a majority of their constituents. Partisans believe that they owe their first allegiance to their political party. They feel duty-bound to cast their votes in line with the party platform. Politicos attempt to combine the basic elements the delegates, trustees, and partisan roles. They try to balance these often conflicting factors: Their own and what is best for their constituents.

National Legislature Overview Most scholars believe that lawmakers hold dear to the delegate model. In every session of Congress, proposed laws, known as bills are referred to the various committees in each chamber. As committee members, senators and representatives must screen those proposals.

National Legislature Overview They decide, in committee, which measures will go on to Floor Consideration – that is be considered and acted upon by the full membership of the house or Senate. The task of executing the laws that are passed by Congress and the money to implement them is given to the Executive Branch (President). Members of both houses act as servants to the people they represent. Who are our Senators from Texas? Ted Cruz and John Cornyn

National Legislature Overview Who are our Representatives from the Pearland area? District 14:Randy WeberDistrict 22:Pete Olson 535 Members serve in the US House of Representatives. 113 th Congress included the largest number of women in history.

National Legislature Overview

First woman Minority Whip occurred in this session. There are 42 African-Americans, 35 Hispanics, 11 Asians, and 2 Native Americans. 3 Hispanics and Asian sat in the US Senate. Most of the members in House and Senate (94%) have college degrees.

National Legislature Overview Terms and Sessions of Congress: Each term of Congress lasts for two years. Each session is numbered consecutively. Most current is 114 th Session First term of Congress was March 4, th Amendment in 1933 changed the start of the sessions of Congress to January 03 rd. Congress does adjourn – suspend their session when they see fit. Both houses do recess – for several short periods of time. That is temporarily suspend business.

National Legislature Overview The President does have the power to prorogue – a session, but only when the two houses cannot agree on a date for adjournment. This has never happened. Presidents can call special sessions of Congress. Only 27 have been called. Last one was in 1948.

National Legislature Overview Congressional Compensation: The Constitution says that members of Congress shall receive a Compensation for their services. Congress can fix their own pay (decide their own pay). 27 th Amendment modified the pay-setting authority. Only pay increases can take affect after the next election. Senators make around $ 174,000/year. Speaker of the House makes $ 223,500/year. Vice President makes $ 230,700/year. Both houses have Floor leaders who earn $ 193,400/year.

National Legislature Overview Non-Salary Compensation * These are called “fringe benefits” * Each member of Congress has a special tax deduction + That deduction recognizes that fact that most members of Congress has to maintain two residences. One in Washington DC and at home. * Generous travel allowances offset the cost of several round trips between their home and Washington D.C. * Members pay very little for health insurance and life insurance. * Get medical care at any military base in the world. * They have a VERY generous retirement plan * Long time members receive $ 150,000/year pension.

National Legislature Overview * Are covered by Social Security and Medicare programs. * They have an office in Washington D.C. and money to fund those offices. * They also get money to fund their office at home. * They have funds to hire a staff at both locations. * They have a franking privilege – they can mail letters and other material for FREE. * They have FREE printing in Congress. * They have a gym membership (first rate) in Washington, D.C. * They have can choose among fine restaurants in D.C. to eat at for a discount. * They get FREE parking at the Capital and most major Airports.

National Legislature Overview

Not many people chose to run for office. Most members of Congress have top paying jobs from their profession and actually take a pay cut to serve in Congress. Running for Office is expensive and exhausting from the time they put in campaigning. There are two limits placed on the level of congressional pay. 1) the President’s veto of the increase 2) the backlash from the voters back home and getting voted out of office. Most Congress members don’t vote for pay raises, but vote to give themselves more benefits of “perks” to skirt the issue.

National Legislature Overview.